---
title: "NHS England Prior Approval System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-055810"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055810"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055810.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055810.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "NHS ENGLAND"
published: "2025-07-03"
---

# NHS England Prior Approval System

Buyer: NHS ENGLAND  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-055810

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055810)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055810.json)

## Summary

The contracting process for the NHS England Prior Approval System is currently in the planning stage, as part of a larger pre-procurement exercise. Managed by NHS England, situated at Wellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Rd, London, this initiative falls under the public authority-central government classification. Relating to IT services and industry-specific software development, this opportunity is open to suppliers with a focus on digital health tools. Key dates include a webinar on 15th July 2025 and deadlines for submissions on 21st and 23rd July 2025. The contracting period is slated from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028. This project aims to develop a system that ensures patients meet specific treatment criteria before NHS funding approval is granted for high-cost treatments.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in digital health tools and IT services. By participating in the Request for Information (RFI) process, businesses have the chance to influence decisions regarding technical requirements, budgets, and timelines. Enterprises that specialise in developing flexible and functional systems within a challenging health environment will be particularly well-suited to compete. Suppliers with capabilities in software development services and those familiar with integrating healthcare solutions are encouraged to engage with NHS England on this vital project.

## Notice

This Pre-Procurement exercise is an opportunity for Interested suppliers to inform and influence our approach, including technical considerations, suitable budgets and timelines, by completing the Request for Information (RFI) documents. We are particularly keen to hear from suppliers who have the capability to develop a system/service that has the functionality and flexibility to meets user and business needs in a complex and changing health environment. This is well suited to SMEs who have capability with digital health tools. The objective of NHS Prior Approval System is to ensure that particular, high-cost treatments are only funded by NHS England when patients meet defined treatment criteria and are therefore able to receive the most benefit from the use of the drug or device. All prior approvals are time-limited and clinicians must confirm treatment effectiveness before approving the continued use of a high-cost drug/device/ treatment. NHS England Specialised Commissioning (national and regional teams) uses this system to support both Managed Access Funds - the Cancer Drugs Fund and the Innovative Medicines Fund - and Routine Commissioning. Healthcare providers are required to seek approval of a specific high-cost drug/ device/ treatment ahead of treatment commencing or to continue the use of a previously approved drug/ device/ treatment. A full description of the requirements for the NHS England Prior Approval System can be access in the Request for Information Documents, linked to this Notice.

### Planning Information

Suppliers interested in this opportunity are requested to complete the Request for Information (RFI) document Appendix A related to the Prior Approval System Clarification questions and responses must be submitted via the NHS England’s e-Tendering portal, Atamis. The RFI documents and questionnaire can be found on Atamis by searching for " C372360 RFI – Prior Approval System". To register on the NHS England’s e-Tendering portal and to access this opportunity, please go to https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. You can then search for the opportunity and access any further information. A webinar will be held on Tuesday 15th July 2025 at 2pm (BST) for 1 hour to further explain the requirements and aims of the programme. To book a slot for the webinar, please submit your details using the link below. https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/prior-approval-system-rfi-webinar The deadline for submitting questions relating to this RFI will be 17:00 21st July 2025. This preliminary market engagement exercise is due for return by 17:00 23rd July 2025. If you experience any difficulties accessing the documents, please write to england.supplier@nhs.net

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037008-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 3 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 23 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | NHS ENGLAND |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South East London |
| Postcode | SE1 8UG |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI45 Lambeth |
| Local authority | Lambeth |
| Electoral ward | Waterloo & South Bank |
| Westminster constituency | Vauxhall and Camberwell Green |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 72000000 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services

## Release History

- 3 Jul 2025 at 09:02 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037008-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037008-2025
  3rd July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.england.nhs.uk/
- https://www.events.england.nhs.uk/events/prior-approval-system-rfi-webinar
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-055810. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-055810.json.